FREQUENTLY ASKED SAFARI QUESTIONS / SAFARI FACTS

Most safari tours organized by Gaga Tours are private, booked on an individual basis, and are operated in their own pop-up top 4×4 jeep with a dedicated tour driver/guide.

Guests booking with Gaga Tours, however, have the option to form private groups to travel together as families or friends.

For medium/long-range safari tours, Gaga Tours does not create tour groups from individual bookings. This decision is made to allow for flexibility, customization, pace, and the choice of safari lodge/camp preference.

The only exception is the short/small Nairobi Kenya group tours, which are operated on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of every week. Visit https://www.gagatours.com for more information.”

The majority of safari lodges and tented camp accommodations offer complimentary WiFi during your safari. This service is available across the three accommodation levels: economy, comfort, and luxury.

WiFi is accessible in the public areas of the safari lodges and tented camps, including the reception, dining areas, and lounge. However, it is not provided in individual rooms or tents.

We also provide free WiFi in our Gaga Tours 4×4 safari jeeps, with connectivity reaching approximately 70% due to local Kenyan network coverage.”

During our overnight group sharing safari, it is not feasible to request an extra day safari extension.

This limitation arises from the fact that you share your safari Jeep with other travelers on a seat-in-car basis. Consequently, the group departs from and returns to Nairobi together.

Extending the safari for an extra day would necessitate a unanimous decision from all tour participants and would be contingent upon the availability of extended accommodation in the respective tented camp/lodge.

Moreover, opting for an extra day on safari would involve an additional payment.

Gaga Tours has made significant investments in recruiting some of the finest tour driver/guides.

While we take pride in our team, we understand that guests may have a special preference for an individual driver/guide based on recommendations or online reviews.

If you have a specific safari tour driver/guide in mind from our team, we are delighted to assign them as your guide for the duration of your safari tour, subject to their availability.

However, if your preferred guide is already booked during the planned safari tour period, you always have the option to choose another driver/guide from our diverse team.

Our carefully chosen safari lodges and tented camps are selected to ensure the utmost comfort, relaxation, and a fantastic atmosphere during your safari. Each accommodation category is thoroughly considered in our selection.

Recognizing the importance of protection against mosquitoes and other insect bites, all rooms/tents during your safari are equipped with mosquito nets or are insect-proofed to shield you from bites.

Additionally, we recommend that you carry/use insect repellent to further safeguard yourself, especially when outdoors during the evenings.

The maximum occupancy for one room/tent is three persons, and they can be accommodated with a double bed and a single bed or with three single beds.

In cases where four or more persons are traveling together and prefer to stay in one room/tent, we may book them in two rooms with interconnecting doors.

For those who prefer to stay close as family or friends, we may arrange bookings in adjacent tents/rooms.

It’s important to note that some safari lodges/camps offer family units with a maximum capacity of four persons, but this typically involves an additional cost.

All safari rooms/tents are private and come with their own bathroom/toilet facilities.

The safari tour Jeep is equipped with a spacious luggage compartment at the rear, capable of comfortably accommodating up to 6 suitcases with an average weight of 25-30 kilograms each.

You are also allowed to carry hand luggage containing your essential items inside the safari jeep.

For your convenience and to minimize the risk of damage during the sometimes bumpy road safari trips, we recommend packing or carrying your luggage in soft-sided suitcases.

For those booked on a Kenya fly-in safari or planning to take local/domestic safari flights to national parks/game reserves, there is a specific baggage allowance.

The baggage allowance for local domestic flights traveling between national parks is 15 kilograms, excluding hand luggage.

If you have additional luggage that you do not need during the safari, you have the option to store it for free at our Nairobi or Mombasa offices.

Alternatively, you may choose to carry all your baggage with you, but this would incur an additional cost of $5 per kilogram for extra baggage. Please note that this is subject to flight/carrier capacity.

As part of our comprehensive safari tour services, Gaga Tours provides complimentary return airport/hotel transfers for guests booked on a 3 days plus safari tour with us.

These transfers are extended to guests arriving or departing several days before or after the scheduled start/end of their safari.

To facilitate this service, kindly share your arrival and departure flight details, including airline codes and timings. In return, we will provide you with the transfer driver’s name and telephone contact well in advance of your arrival/departure.”

Please note that our listed safari tours and advertised prices do not cover the cost of a Nairobi hotel stay.

If you plan to arrive in Nairobi before your safari start date or intend to stay a few days after the safari concludes, you will need accommodation in Nairobi. The city offers a diverse range of hotels across economy, comfort, and luxury categories, suitable for both one-night stays and extended visits.

As part of your safari tour, Gaga Tours will provide pick-up and drop-off services at your respective Nairobi hotel or residence, including areas around Nairobi.

We recommend exploring and booking your preferred Nairobi hotel online. Should you need advice, suggestions, or assistance with booking your Nairobi hotel, we are more than happy to help.

To assist you further, we have compiled a handy guide.

SAFARI LODGES

A safari lodge in Africa is situated in a remote wildlife area and comprises several cottages or chalets scattered across landscaped grounds. The main building typically includes a restaurant, bar, gift shop, reception, and administrative facilities. Many lodges also feature a swimming pool.

En-suite guestrooms at the lodge are housed in smaller, separate cottages scattered around the central main building. The atmosphere is usually rustic, harmonizing with the natural surroundings while capturing the essence of the wild.

Safari lodges come in varying sizes, unique designs, locations, and standards, offering a range of options in the economy, comfort, and luxury categories.

SAFARI CAMPS

Safari tented camps share similarities with safari lodges in terms of layout, purpose, and location. A tented camp typically consists of a main building (housing public areas), often designed in a thatched African style or as a large tent. En-suite guest tents are then scattered around the main building, providing a sense of privacy.

Tented camps are composed of large, en-suite walk-in tents built on solid floors, complete with private bathrooms and a small terrace or veranda. Essentially, these are rooms with exteriors made of canvas rather than wood or brick.

The tented camp complex may also include a swimming pool. Tented camps range from comfort and superior comfort to luxury and super luxury options.

If you are booked on any of our Nairobi to Mombasa safaris, you will board the Nairobi to Mombasa SGR train at Emali, Mtito Andei, or Voi train stations, depending on your last national park visit.

Your first-class train tickets will have been pre-booked and paid for in advance. To retrieve your travel ticket, you only need to print it once at the respective train station. This process takes only a few moments, and your safari driver/guide will be on hand to assist.

Rest assured, we’ve got you covered with the Nairobi – Mombasa Train Schedule. Additionally, we will pick you up from the Mombasa train station and transfer you to your beach hotel in Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Watamu, or Malindi as part of our safari service.

The SGR train, connecting Mombasa and Nairobi and now extending near Lake Naivasha, represents the most recent and secure mode of travel in Kenya. It is also the most scenic means of transportation between the Kenyan interior and the coast.

The train coaches are equipped with air conditioning and feature wide windows to provide the best scenic views. As the train travels from Nairobi to Mombasa and vice versa, it meanders through Tsavo West and Tsavo East.

The SGR train is absolutely safe for both passengers and luggage. For the best 360-degree landscape views, passengers can enjoy the experience from the restaurant car of the train.

While tipping in Kenya is not mandatory, it is customary to show appreciation for good service.

All hotel, lodge, and porterage gratuities are already included in your safari price; this collectively constitutes the service charge.

Individual waiters, porters, and other hotel service employees may provide exceptional service, and tipping is at your discretion. Typically, $1 to $5 per service or interaction is considered appropriate and appreciated.

For safari drivers/guides, it is customary to tip them at the end of the safari tour. The amount depends on your evaluation of the service provided. An average of $10 per guest per day or 5-10% of your safari-only cost is suggested. However, the amount is entirely at your discretion, and you are welcome to provide additional compensation for staff who have offered special services. A bar gratuity of $1 is acceptable.

You may choose to tip in Kenyan shillings, USD, or Euros at the end of your safari/tour, preferably in an envelope.

Tourists visiting Kenya must possess a valid visa, and their passports should be valid for at least six months beyond their arrival date in the country.

Effective January 1, 2023/2024, passengers traveling to Kenya from countries requiring visas must apply for and obtain an E-visa before boarding an aircraft, as no visas will be issued on arrival.

The electronic visa application process involves uploading your passport picture and photograph. The E-visa is typically issued approximately five days after registration. You must print a copy of your electronic visa and bring it, along with your passport, for presentation upon arrival in Kenya.

For any inquiries or issues related to the E-visa application, please contact the Kenyan Embassy in your country or region or email evisa@immigration.go.ke.

Kenya E-visa Application Procedure:

1. Click ‘register’ on evisa.go.ke (This is the only official portal; others are scams).
2. Select ‘Register as a Visitor.’
3. Once logged in, select ‘Department of Immigration Services.’
4. Select ‘Submit Application.’
5. Choose ‘Kenyan Visa.’
6. Select the type of Visa and read the instructions carefully.
7. Fill in the application form.
8. Pay using Visa card, Mastercard, and other debit cards.
9. Await approval via email, then download and print the E-visa from your eCitizen account.
10. The processing time is 2 business days.
11. Present your printed E-visa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Visa Charges as of January 5, 2023/2024:

– Single entry visa + service charge: US$51.00
– Transit entry visa + service charge: US$21.00
– Courtesy entry visa + service charge: US$0.00
– East African tourist visa + service charge: US$101.00
– Multiple entry visa + service charge: US$101.00
– 5yr multiple entry visa + service charge: US$201.00
– Fast-tracked visa fees: Coming soon

Useful Links:

– Eligibility & Exempted States: http://evisa.go.ke/eligibility.html
– Visa Types & Requirements: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa-types.html
– E-visa FAQs: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa-faqs.html

Visa Validity:

An E-visa to Kenya, once issued, is valid for three months before your travel. Upon presenting yourself to immigration control at the port of entry, you may be granted a stay period not exceeding 90 days, extendable for a further 90 days at the immigration headquarters. The maximum allowable stay for a visitor in Kenya is six months.

Additional Information on E-visa Application:

Approval Time:
The E-visa takes a maximum of 48 hours to approve but can be issued in a much shorter period.

Auto Save:
The ability to auto-save applications has been updated to the system. If the system ‘hangs,’ one can refresh the page and click on the ‘history’ tab to access the saved information.

Payments:
Currently, the system accepts Visa and Mastercard. Arrangements are in progress to include American Express, Union Pay, PayPal, and Mpesa. During payments, the system sends a One Time Password (OTP) for the credit card owner to confirm.

Communication (in case of a hitch in the process):
Application process assistance is provided promptly. The system provides two dedicated telephone numbers and an email for assistance:
General Enquiries:+254 110 922 063 /4
Payment Issues: +254 110  922 062
 Email: evisa@immigration.go.ke

System Downtime:

The E-visa system has minimal downtime but may be occasionally taken offline for system upgrades. During such times, a message will be displayed indicating the system is offline for an upgrade and the expected duration.

Other Things to Note:
– You will be required to complete a landing card issued on the plane or at the visa desk upon entering Kenya.
– An exit card will be provided in the departure terminal when leaving Kenya.

Book your Kenya safari today with Gaga Tours. Feel free to contact us via our website, call +254713724918, or WhatsApp on +254 774724918.

Distances and driving times in Africa differ from European and American standards. In Kenya, roads are often narrow and may not be well-maintained, especially those leading directly to National Parks and Game Reserves, which can be rough.

It’s important to note that the advertised driving times on safari itineraries/programs on our website are estimates and may vary based on road conditions and traffic.

Gaga Tours offer a variety of East African road safari holidays.

Our selection of economy, comfort, and luxury accommodation options for lodges and tented camps provides varying levels of comfort and adequacy for relaxation, overnights, and meals. However, the standards of facilities, style, and locations differ.

Luxury Safari Lodges and Tented Camps:

In nearly all instances, luxury lodges and tented camps are strategically located within national parks and game reserves. They boast unique architecture and design, offering easy access to prime game-viewing areas. The facilities and comfort levels are of a higher standard, with private and en-suite rooms or tents. Most luxury facilities also feature a swimming pool.

Comfort Safari Lodges and Tented Camps:

Comfort lodges and camps may be situated inside or just at the boundaries of national parks and game reserves, with some located slightly further away. In all cases, they are less than 30 minutes from the park entry gate. While the facilities’ comfort levels are sufficiently adequate, they are slightly lower than those of luxury accommodations. The rooms and tents in this comfort category are also private and en-suite, and most comfort lodges/tented camps include a swimming pool.

Economy Safari Lodges and Tented Camps:

Almost all economy lodges and tented camps (with a few exceptions) are located outside the boundaries of national parks and near the park. They offer easy, comfortable accommodations that are sufficiently adequate for relaxation, overnights, and meals, albeit relatively basic compared to luxury and comfort options. Rooms and tents are private with en-suite bathroom facilities, and many economy options also feature a swimming pool.

A single room supplement is an additional fee charged by hotels, safari lodges, and tented camps for single occupancy of a double/shared room. Our safari tour prices are calculated based on two persons sharing a double room/tent.

If an individual opts for single occupancy of a room, the single room supplement applies. The additional cost for single room/tent occupancy is specified in the price section of each tour package page.

Our standard safari travel and game viewing drive vehicle is a custom-designed 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep by Gaga Tours. The Jeep features a pop-up top, providing ease for photography during game viewing drives and sightseeing. The vehicle can accommodate a maximum of 6 persons, ensuring guaranteed window seats and access to the pop-up top.

Our 4×4 safari Jeeps are equipped with long-range radios for easy communication, cooler boxes, and first aid kits, among other extras. The Land Cruiser Jeep offers several advantages during safari, including a higher elevation, better navigation on rough terrain, extended reach, enhanced comfort, and an immersive African adventure experience.

Gaga Tours does not include international flight costs in our East African safari tour prices.

As a local Kenya tour operator and ground handling agency, Gaga Tours focuses on inbound services. Our local safari tour packages commence from various points, including Nairobi airport, Nairobi hotels, Mombasa airport and hotels, Diani beach resorts, Malindi/Watamu beach resorts, Naivasha area resorts, Kisumu, Nakuru, Arusha, Namanga, Taveta, Isebania border towns, and other locations in Kenya and East Africa.

How to Apply for a Tanzania Visa Online:

1. Visit the Immigration Services Website [immigration.go.tz](https://immigration.go.tz).
2. Click the “e-services” button.
3. Select and click “e-Visa Application Form”.
4. Upload and attach the applicant’s scanned relevant documents for the Visa.
5. The applicant will receive an e-mail message containing the User Identification Number (that may be used to track the application online).
6. After completing the online visa application form, the applicant will have to pay the respective visa fee.
7. Upon successful payment, the applicant will submit his application.
8. Lastly, the applicant will receive a confirmation message of his application being received.

Tracking the Visa Application:

After successfully submitting the application, an applicant may track the progress of his application by using his ID Number, which is given during the application stage. To track the application, the applicant will go back to the Visa Application System, then click the Visa Status button.

Requirements for Tanzania Visa:

1. **Ordinary (Single Entry) Visa:**
– Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
– Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory).
– Duly filled in declaration form.
– $50 USD visa fee.

2. **Multiple Visa:**
– Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
– $100 USD Visa fee.
– Valid passport or national ID of the person to be visited in Tanzania (host) OR;
– A covering letter of the host Institution detailing the reasons and frequency of Visits OR;
– Attached Certificate of marriage of a spouse and a passport/national ID if the applicant comes to visit a spouse OR;
– Any proof that justifies that a visitor is required to visit the United Republic of Tanzania frequently.
– Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory).

3. Business Visa:
– Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
– Return ticket of the flight.
– $250 USD visa fee.
– A work contract or any proof of the work/assignment to be performed within a period not exceeding three months; or

4. **Transit Visa:**
– Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
– $30 USD visa fee.
– An entry visa or onward ticket to the intended country of destination.

5. Student Visa:
– Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
– $50 USD, $250 USD, or $550 USD Visa fee depending on the category and duration.
– Covering letter from the host institution/college where the foreign student will be hosted, detailing the course/field and duration of the program to be attended.

Visa Payment Method:

An applicant can make payment of the visa fee online through one of the following methods:
– By Visa card or By Mastercard.
– By Swift transfer (i.e., depositing money directly into the bank account at the bank counter).

Enquiry While Making Application:

An applicant may at any time inquire to seek clarification regarding the process through the following e-mail: [Info@visatanzania.go.tz](mailto:Info@visatanzania.go.tz)

Entry Ports:

Applicants whose visa applications have been approved are required to enter the United Republic of Tanzania through the five specified Entry Points, which are:
– Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA)
– Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)
– Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA)
– Namanga border
– Tunduma border

Important Notice:

– Applicants are advised to read carefully the Visa Guideline before making an application.
– Visa applicants are advised to make their applications through the Official Tanzania Immigration website [www.immigration.go.tz](https://www.immigration.go.tz) ONLY and not through any other links.
– Any applicant of Visa is assumed to have read, understood, and agreed to the terms and conditions stipulated in the Disclaimer and Visa Guideline.
– Applicants must ensure that their passports have a validity of at least six months and at least one unused visa page before submitting their application.
– The list of countries which fall under Referred Visa may change at any time; therefore, applicants are advised to review our website from time to time.
– Visa regulations and conditions may be subject to change at any time without prior notification to the applicants.

Note:

It should be noted that the possession of a Visa is not a final authority to enter the United Republic of Tanzania. The Immigration Officer at the Entry point may refuse a holder of a visa to enter if he is satisfied that the holder is unable to fulfil Immigration entry requirements or if the presence of such person or visitors in the United Republic of Tanzania would be contrary to the National Interests.

Contact:
For more information, contact the following:

The Commissioner General of Immigration Services:
P. O. Box 512, Dar es Salaam.
Tel. +255 2850575, 2850576, 2850569
Email: [visatanzania@immigration.go.tz](mailto:visatanzania@immigration.go.tz)
Website: [www.immigration.go.tz](https://www.immigration.go.tz)

Commissioner of Immigration Services (Zanzibar):
P.O. Box 1354, Zanzíbar.
Tel: +255 24 2234973
Email: [proznz@immigration.go.tz](mailto:proznz@immigration.go.tz) OR [adminznz@immigration.go.tz](mailto:adminznz@immigration.go.tz)

Book a Tanzania-only safari, a combined Kenya & Tanzania safari, or a Zanzibar beach extension with Natural World Kenya Safaris.

Feel free to contact us via our website, call +254704001122, or WhatsApp on +254 788 287 151.